The new strategic Plan, extending to 2037, sets out the alliance’s priorities to accelerate regional development through education, research, innovation and service to society

STARS EU held one of its annual meetings from October 21 to 23 at the Bragança Polytechnic University (Portugal). In addition to promoting the work of the various working groups involved in this initiative, this meeting was particularly significant because the nine rectors of the member institutions signed a Consortium Agreement to strengthen the stability of this association with a plan extending to 2037.

The consortium agreement signed at the Bragança meeting regulates the structure of the alliance, the roles within it, its main regulations, financial aspects and resolves issues related to confidentiality, intellectual property and data protection, in addition to arbitrating a system to settle possible disputes between the associated institutions.

It derivates form a five- year Strategic Plan for the alliance, developed by a team coordinated by Professor Ernesto Pereda of the University of La Laguna (ULL), with the participation of both STARS EU members and external experts. The purpose of this long-term planning is to enable the alliance to more effectively carry out its main mission: accelerating the development of the regions involved through the four university missions: education, research, innovation and service to society.

The Strategic Plan is based on five pillars: education for the future, research and innovation, acceleration of development, campus, and sustainable governance. These pillars, in turn, are based on three cross-cutting commitments: education for transformation, research for impact, and cooperation for problem – solving.

Governance and internationalization

One of the measures implemented by the new consortium has been to establish a system for electing the president and vice-president of the alliance among the rectors of the member universities, whose term will last one year. In this first round of voting, Dick Pouwells, rector of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), was elected president; and Tomáš Gongol, rector of the Silesian University in Opava (Czech Republic), was elected vice-president.

One of the strategies that is also being implemented within the alliance is called STARS EU Goes Global, which follows the recommendations of the European Commission to internationalize higher education, attract talent and promote European values through all international initiatives and partnerships in which the alliance is involved.

Within that spirit, another agreement was also signed at the meeting whereby the Petro Mohyla Black Sea State University (Ukraine) will participate in STARS EU as a Strategic Associated Partner, an agreement signed during the opening ceremony of the meeting by its rector, Leonid Pavlovych Klymenko. A particularly moving moment of the gala was the screening of a video narrating the difficulties this institution has faced during the war, as it has had to rebuild a large part of its infrastructure and is currently the only university in the country still operating thanks to a blended learning model.

The ceremony was also the setting for a third important signing: the one that launches a double-degree master’s programme agreed by three of the associated universities: Polytechnic University of Braganza, Marie and Louis Pasteur University (France) and University West (Sweden), in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Automation and Robotics and Production Technology.

Alliance assessment

During the opening, STARS EU coordinator Rima Dijkstra reviewed the current state of the alliance, highlighting the launch of several research projects and scientific publications. In the field of education, she noted the implementation of joint programmes including 5 bachelors, 10 masters, 3 doctorates, 57 Blended Intensive Programs (BIPs), 59 joint micro credentials, and 15 joint course units. All of this has contributed to a positive rating in the midterm review conducted by European authorities on the ongoing project.

Other notable results highlighted by the Dijkstra were, among others, several Living Labs (5 regional running, 3 interregional launched and 4 regionals in preparation); 23 interregional traineeships, the implementation of the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office, the STARS Talks series, the Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda and the Ambassadors program. She also highlighted a good staff mobility (22%) but emphasized the necessity of improving the students one (3%), which is one of the KPI of the project. She also summarized the main points of the recently signed consortium.

University autonomy

During the opening, Manuel Heitor, former Minister of Science and Higher Education of Portugal between 2015 and 2021, gave a plenary lecture in which he reported on the results of the “Align, Act, Accelerate” report, which he coordinated with other European experts to take stock and make recommendations to improve European research programs.

A report that, among other things, called for an increase in the EU research budget, which is around 21 billion euros—a figure that will clearly not be respected by EU political authorities , who, on the other hand, have expressed their agreement with this diagnosis and its recommendations. Heitor emphasized the idea that university autonomy is one of the strengths of academic institutions, which they should leverage to achieve their objectives and forge alliances.

This idea of university autonomy was taken up again by the president of STARS EU, Dick Pouwells, two days later, during the closing ceremony of this meeting. He pointed out that; indeed, it is one of the strengths of academia, but it must be balanced with the objective of serving society.

For his part, the rector of the Polytechnic University of Braganza, Orlando Guterres, was responsible for closing the meeting, emphasizing the importance of universities in building the future of Europe. He alluded to Erasmus of Rotterdam’s idea of creating a “Republic of Letters.”

The meeting ended with the official announcement of the next STARS EU general meeting, to be held in mid-March 2027 at the Krakow Polytechnic University.

The agreement with the Ukrainian university promotes academic cooperation, as well as collaboration in research, innovation, and mobility

The rectors and presidents of the nine STARS EU universities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University (PMBSNU), Ukraine, formally establishing it as a Strategic Associated Partner of the Alliance. The agreement was signed during the STARS EU Annual Meeting 2026 in Bragança (Portugal) in the presence of PMBSNU Rector Leonid Klymenko.

The signing brought together the leadership of all STARS EU member universities under the theme “STARS EU Goes Global”. It gives the developing relationship with PMBSNU a clear long-term framework. The Memorandum provides a framework for cooperation in education, research and innovation, joint projects, mobility, knowledge exchange, and participation in STARS EU activities, including Thematic Interest Groups, workshops, and conferences.

For PMBSNU Rector Leonid Klymenko, who attended the signing in person, the agreement recognizes cooperation already established and opens the way for its further development. “For Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University, this Memorandum is much more than a formal agreement. It connects us more closely with a strong European academic community and creates new opportunities for our students and staff. Even under extremely difficult conditions, we want to contribute our expertise and build long-term partnerships with our European colleagues. We are grateful to STARS EU for its trust and openness.”

 A partner that fits the STARS EU profile

The partnership builds on a strong institutional and thematic fit. Located in Mykolayiv, PMBSNU is a multidisciplinary regional university outside the national capital, closely connected to its region and with a strong international orientation. This corresponds well to the STARS EU profile of universities combining regional engagement with European ambitions.

The relationship became more structured during the STARS EU Annual Conference in Opava in March 2026 when PMBSNU representatives met the STARS EU Commission, Steering Committee, and thematic teams. Following these discussions, the Commission recognized PMBSNU as a Strategic Associated Partner and requested formalization through a Memorandum of Understanding.

From institutional agreement to concrete cooperation

Three STARS EU Thematic Interest Groups – Healthy Ageing, Digital Transformation, and Inclusion and Social Justice – have been identified as particularly promising areas for cooperation, in fact, PMBSNU researchers already participate in STARS EU academic events.

Most recently, six representatives joined the international conference “Legal and Social Justice Perspectives on Human Vulnerabilities in Europe” in Besançon (France) within the Inclusion and Social Justice TIG, bringing perspectives from a university and society directly affected by war. “Our cooperation with colleagues from PMBSNU shows how much we can gain by bringing different European experiences together. Their participation adds an important dimension to our work on inclusion, vulnerability and social justice and opens opportunities for joint research and academic activities. We see considerable potential to continue this cooperation within our TIG. It is an honor to have them in the alliance”, explained STARS EU members involved.

                                – Célia Berger-Tarare, Leader of the STARS EU TIG Inclusion and Social Justice

Cooperation is also developing through mobility and joint European project initiatives. Several STARS EU universities have submitted Erasmus+ KA171 applications to support future student and staff exchanges with PMBSNU, while partners are also jointly preparing and submitting proposals under European funding programs.

Part of a wider European commitment to Ukraine

The partnership also connects with the wider engagement of European University Alliances with Ukraine. STARS EU actively participates in the FOREU4ALL Cooperation with Ukraine Topical Group where alliances exchange experience and explore sustainable models for long-term cooperation with Ukrainian universities.

For STARS EU, cooperation with PMBSNU therefore combines direct academic partnership with a wider European commitment to the resilience and international integration of Ukrainian higher education.

“Our cooperation with PMBSNU is based on solidarity, but it goes well beyond solidarity. We are building a partnership around academic compatibility, common interests and concrete activities. Through FOREU4ALL we can see that European University Alliances have an important role to play in connecting Ukrainian universities more closely with the European higher education landscape. STARS EU wants to be among the alliances that translate this commitment into practical and sustainable cooperation.”

           – Daniel Stavárek, STARS EU Steering Committee member and STARS EU representative in the FOREU4ALL Cooperation with Ukraine Topical Group

The signing in Bragança, therefore, represents not the beginning but the formalization of a partnership already taking shape. The Memorandum now provides a framework for expanding cooperation through research, education, mobility, international projects, and participation in the wider STARS EU community.

 Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University

Bragança Polytechnic University will welcome representatives from the nine STARS EU partner institutions for the Alliance’s Annual Meeting “STARS EU Goes Global”

The STARS EU Annual Meeting 2026 officially opens tomorrow, 21 October, at 9:30 AM, at the Bragança Municipal Theatre (Portugal), bringing together members of the Alliance for three days of strategic discussions, collaboration and joint planning.

The opening programme will feature a plenary session by Manuel Heitor, entitled “The Future of European Higher Education & Research”, followed by Rima Dijkstra’s presentation on “STARS EU Alliance: Future Perspectives”.

Goes Global agreements

Another highlight of the morning will be the STARS EU Goes Global agreements signing, marking an important moment in the Alliance’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation and expand its collaborative network.

Following the opening ceremony, participants will continue their work at the Bragança Polytechnic University campus, with meetings involving the Alliance’s governing bodies, Work Packages, Thematic Interest Groups, Student Board and other working groups.

Throughout the three-day meeting, which takes place in the Bragança Polytechnic University (UPB) representatives from the nine partner institutions will review progress, exchange experiences and define shared priorities for the next stages of STARS EU, reinforcing its commitment to education, research, innovation and regional development.

The full programme is available at starseu.unipb.pt.

The STARS EU community will come together at Bragança Polytechnic University (Portugal) from 21 to 23 October for the STARS EU Annual Meeting 2026, three days dedicated to strengthening cooperation, reviewing progress and shaping the next steps of the Alliance. 

Under the theme “STARS EU Goes Global”, this year’s meeting will focus on the growing international dimension of STARS EU and its ambition to turn cooperation between European universities and their regions into opportunities with a broader global impact. 

The meeting will bring together the rectors of the nine STARS EU partner universities, along with the rector of Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University in Ukraine, a Strategic Associated Partner of the Alliance. 

Students, academic and research staff, professional staff and representatives of the Alliance’s governance structures will also gather in Bragança for strategic discussions, parallel working sessions, networking opportunities and Student Board activities. 

The Annual Meeting will bring together Work Packages, Thematic Interest Groups, governance bodies and other STARS EU teams to review achievements, connect ongoing initiatives and identify shared priorities. 

Expanding cooperation beyond the Alliance 

The meeting in Bragança will mark a further step in the international development of STARS EU, with important developments expected in institutional cooperation and joint education. 

Representatives of Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University in Ukraine will join the Alliance community following the decision earlier this year to recognise the institution as a Strategic Associated Partner of STARS EU. 

The relationship began to take a more structured form during the STARS EU Annual Conference in Opava, where discussions between representatives of the Ukrainian university, the STARS EU Commission and the Steering Committee confirmed a shared interest in developing closer institutional cooperation. 

In Bragança, this collaboration is expected to advance with the formalisation of an agreement that provides a framework for the Ukrainian university’s cooperation with STARS EU. 

Another important development will be the expected signing of an agreement for a joint Master’s degree involving four STARS EU partner universities: Université Marie et Louis Pasteur (France), University West (Sweden), Bragança Polytechnic University (Portugal) and Cracow University of Technology (Poland). 

The agreement will strengthen cooperation in joint education in the field of Robotics, Mechatronics and Automatic Control, bringing together expertise from the four institutions and creating new opportunities for international academic collaboration. 

Together, these initiatives reflect the ambition behind this year’s theme: strengthening STARS EU as a European University while opening new paths for international academic, scientific and institutional cooperation. 

Working together on the next stage of STARS EU 

The main programme on 21 and 22 October will combine parallel working sessions with opportunities to share conclusions across the Alliance, as well as networking, student-led, and cultural activities. 

On 23 October, members of the STARS EU Commission and Steering Committee will continue the work in dedicated governance meetings. 

Hosted by Bragança Polytechnic University, the Annual Meeting will also allow participants to discover Bragança and the Trás-os-Montes region, connecting the Alliance’s collaborative work with the cultural and regional environment of the host university. 

STARS EU Goes Global will be an opportunity to reflect on progress, strengthen partnerships and advance a shared vision for an Alliance firmly rooted in its European regions and increasingly connected to the wider world.